Waiting in the Wilderness
A new 6-week course from The Clewer Initiative.
Waiting in the Wilderness is a six-week course for Lent, that draws on themes from Luke 13 and encourages individuals and churches to respond to modern slavery in their communities.
Waiting in the Wilderness includes:
Bible study
The course focuses on Luke 13. These verses are also featured in the Church of England’s Sunday Lent readings.
A spotlight on a form of modern slavery Including domestic servitude, county lines, the care sector, sexual exploitation, the car wash sector and forced labour.
Animation
An animated poem, exploring the experience of a victim of modern slavery
Ideas for action
Tangible steps to take in your community to help you respond to your learning.
Group questions
To help you dig a bit deeper and discuss how the Bible passage and poem relate to your context.
A prayer
So you can commit your thoughts and resolutions to God.
About the resource
Waiting in the Wilderness is the fifth Lent course produced by The Clewer Initiative.
Why “Waiting in the Wilderness”?
In the Bible, the wilderness is a place where God’s people meet Him in a special way and where they also face extreme suffering, solitude and temptation. Life is very much a “wilderness” experience for a victim of modern slavery – bleak, lonely, never-ending and without hope.
“Every year, we have been encouraged to hear of groups, gathering during Lent to reflect and pray, and learn more about how best to respond to modern slavery.”
Bishop Alastair Redfern
Founder of The Clewer Initiative
A new 6-week course from The Clewer Initiative
The Clewer Initiative was established in 2016 as part of the national work of the Church of England to combat modern slavery. In 2024, it became an independent charity with three aims:
to raise awareness of modern slavery and exploitation
to encourage churches and communities to take action against modern slavery
to promote victim identification, care and support.
Based on our belief that the tools to tackle modern slavery lie within communities, we work with local churches to build resilience and support vulnerable groups, developing resources that help raise awareness and produce practical outcomes.
We also work at a national and international level through a range of partnerships and collaborations to enable the development of appropriate policies and legal frameworks for businesses and governments.
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Victim
stories
At the heart of the course are six animated poems that bring to life the stories of victims and bystanders. Through them, we explore the different forms of modern slavery and potential responses.
Video 1:
Does God hear anymore?
What is it like to be a victim of domestic servitude?
Video 2:
Too good to be true
Do the products we buy have another story?
Video 3:
Being washed away
What goes on behind the scenes at some hand car washes?
Video 4:
Finding my way
How does it feel to be trapped in a county lines gang?
Video 5:
A cog in the wheel
How do victims get drawn into sexual exploitation?
Video 6:
Uncaring caring
How is modern slavery growing in the UK care sector?
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Download the Waiting in the Wilderness Lent course to reflect, pray, and take action against modern slavery in your community.
Waiting in the WIlderness
PDF | 5.2mb
About Modern Slavery
The hidden reality of modern slavery in the UK
Modern slavery is a term that covers any form of human trafficking, slavery, servitude or forced labour, as set out in the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
Potential victims of modern slavery in the UK who come to the attention of authorised first responder organisations are referred to the Home Office’s National Referral Mechanism.
From July to September 2024, 4,758 potential victims of modern slavery were referred to the Home Office, representing a 10% increase compared to the previous quarter and the highest since the NRM began in 2009. The real number of modern slavery victims in the UK is probably many times higher as many people never come forward to the authorities.
The Global Slavery Index suggests there are approximately 122,000 victims living in slavery in the UK but even this could be a conservative estimate. Modern slavery is present in many of our communities.
“We See You” has been The Clewer Initiative’s strapline since the beginning. It is our hope that, through this Lent course, we would help groups and individuals “see” the victims of modern slavery that are hidden in plain sight.
Bishop Alastair Redfern
Founder and chair of The Clewer Initiative
We would love to hear how our resource has helped you think differently about modern slavery.
Why not email us and share how you are tackling exploitation in your community or tell us how we can help you take the next step in modern slavery action?